SMASH’s production was at the Dovehouse Theatre
23-26th March 2011

This musical for all the family is about the invasion of a Somerset village by child evacuees from London – the Vackees – at the start of the Second World War.  When the local youngsters don’t take kindly to the “invaders”, a different type of war seems imminent.

Click on a thumbnail to see the full photograph.  Photographs by Catherine Ralph and Alan Faulkner.

View more details about the story, the characters, the songs.

 This new musical by Julian Woolford and Richard John recounts the adventures of three children over one summer when they have to move to the country as their father is wrongfully arrested. It  features heartfelt ballads, stirring choral numbers and tuneful melodies.

Our cast of 47 (and our audiences!) really enjoyed this show which has something for everyone.

Photos

from the technical rehearsal. Click on a thumbnail to see the full picture

Photographs courtesy of Bill Penny
(except photographs 4, 10, 14, 19 and 22 from Boot Ellis)

Reactions from the audience (received by email)

“I cried in both halves and not just at “Daddy, my daddy!” Bobby was soooooooooo good. Phyllis was “such a darling.” Perks and the Old Gentleman just as they should be. Mother was emotionally mature and sang so well. All the children in Posh Talk were assured, confident and acting their socks off.”

“It was great. I loved the big end to the first half where the children stop the train. The music, shouting, waving and train noise all built up the excitement excellently. What a great success!”

“Not sure what we were impressed with more – the children, costumes, music and singing or the train coming through the tunnel. The work leading up to and behind the scenes is unseen but without it, it wouldn’t be such a professional production. Well done to all involved.”

“The acting, singing, choreography, music, costumes and scenery, were all superb. The three main children’s characters gave a performance worthy of professionals. They were so natural and didn’t put a foot wrong all evening. Completely endearing. It could have been a West End show. Even the programme was beautifully presented.”

More about the show:

• The story of The Railway Children
• The Railway Children – list of characters
• The Railway Children – scenes and songs

SMASH celebrated its 21st birthday in 2009.

SMASH HITS 21 took to the boards at Solihull Methodist Church Hall for three performances in March 2009. We were pleased to welcome back SMASHers who have moved away – not only to see the show but several to take part in it, travelling long distances to the rehearsals.

The cast of over 50 followed SMASH’s journey – through song and music – from the first ever SMASH production (Follow the Star) to 2010’s production (The Railway Children).

The show contained items which our audiences have particularly enjoyed. So yes! there was “Counting sheep” with its famous dancing shepherds from Born for Us All.

As well as other classics from Born for Us All, there were songs from Whistle Down The Wind, Goodnight Mister Tom, Children of Eden and Just So — to name but a few.

Photographs of some of the items in the show

Photographs courtesy of Bill Penny

Reactions from the audience (by email)

“Where else in modern society do young and not so young meet and have fun on such equal terms?”

“I enjoyed the show.  Nice of the “oldies” to reprise some of their roles, but the future definitely belongs to the youngsters, some of whom have tremendous potential.”

“Born for us all sent a very special tingle down my spine.  To think that that whole musical was completely self produced is AWESOME!”

“We just wanted to congratulate you on a great show, and to thank you for the wonderful experience that our daughter has been able to share in. The look on her face after the shows was one of sheer joy, and excitement. As well as having fun, and making lots of new friends the experience has been something that has developed her as a young person, working in a team with people of all ages.”

Just So

Review from Solihull Times (19th March 2008)

Knockout show much more than ‘just so’

Based on Kipling’s “Just So Stories”, this play follows the story of an inquisitive Elephant-Child who embarks on a journey to correct the injustice of the world he lives in by finding a giant crab who’s playing with the sea. There’s an array of spectacular characters, a wise magician, a rowdy rhino, a neurotic chef and what musical would be complete without a singing stove? The talent in the SMASH cast is abundant and apparent, first-rate voices, fabulous cameos and full sounding chorus numbers make for top notch entertainment.

JLG

Photos from the performance

Photographs by Bill Penny

The story of Just So

At the beginning of time, Pau Amma the Crab began playing with the ocean, causing a flood that threatened the other animals. The Elephant’s Child sets out to stop the Crab, and discovers how the Leopard got his spots, how the Rhinoceros got his skin and how curiosity and a hungry Crocodile can turn an Elephant’s small nose into a very large trunk. He also discovers that one determined individual can make a real difference in this world.

Whistle Down The Wind is a story set in the late 1950s that highlights the uncluttered thinking of children that is, for the most part, sadly lost in adulthood. It seems as if children and adults live in separate worlds with different perceptions and languages, but as in life sometimes an event – in this case a stranger in the barn – can bridge the gap.

We first performed Whistle in 1997 and received so many requests to repeat it that we did!

Six new SMASHERS joined us for this production.

Review from the Solihull Times

4th March 2007

SMASH, the music and drama society of Solihull Methodist Church have revisited a previous production this week at the Dovehouse Theatre. Based on both the book by Mary Hayley Bell and the 1961 film, the musical version of ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ was presented by SMASH in 1997.

Laura Ralph (Cathy), Kim Deane (Nan) and Matthew Austin (Charlie) were outstanding as the trio of children who find an escaped convict in their father’s barn. Mistaking him for Jesus, the secret soon gets out and the rest of the children in the village are enlisted to keep ‘Jesus’ safe. The group of children were consistently excellent, singing superbly and staying in character throughout.

The adult characters gave full weight to the dialogue and songs illustrating their brusque impatience and the fear surrounding the situation. The song at the Sunday school nativity play was one of many highlights. This was a definite SMASH hit and there will be many more to come.

F.W. Crane

Photos from the performance

The story

The time is the late 1950s in a small village in Lancashire. Hurrying to a barn with three rescued kittens, Cathy, a schoolgirl, discovers a stranger hiding there. She recognises him immediately as Jesus Christ and tells her sister, Nan.

The next day their brother Charles also learns of their discovery. They decide to tell nobody, but gradually word spreads through the children of the village. Anxious to protect Jesus from unbelieving adults, they keep his arrival a secret and besides, most of their parents are preoccupied with news of a convict on the loose in the area.

Trouble starts when the village bully, Raymond, threatens to give the game away.